He made the promise in front of thousands of members of Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and other civil organizations who had marched from the Istiqlal Grand Mosque to the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) office and City Hall.

"The Bareskrim chief says the case will be processed," he said while standing on a vehicle belonging to protesters parked in front of City Hall on Friday afternoon.

Bareskrim head Comr. Gen. Ari Dono previously said the police would investigate Ahok in regard to the allegation. The police have questioned witnesses and gathered evidence regarding the allegation.

"We will interrogate Ahok," he told protesters in front of the Bareskrim office in Central Jakarta.

A massive demonstration against Ahok required traffic to be diverted on Friday afternoon. All vehicles heading toward Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan were directed to Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur and Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara.

Ahok reportedly told people in Thousand Island regency not to be “deceived” by those who try to tackle him by citing Quranic verse Surah al-Maidah: 51. He later apologized for his statement and said he had meant no harm. However, hard-liners insist an apology is not enough. (ags)

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